NATIVES DEER — SNAUES RICHES. May 18^9. 



US the sky was clear ; but to the southward, over the Strait, 

 hung thick clouds. The trees were not evergreen, and at this 

 time their leaves were withered and falling. 



" While pulling along shore, and passing a low projecting 

 point, we saw the smoke of three fires, and approaching nearer, 

 observed four canoes lying on the beach, near several wig- 

 wams. Their owners soon appeared, running along the shore, 

 hallooing and jumping. The first who came near us reminded 

 me of an old-fashioned sign of the ' Red Lion,' for he was 

 painted red all over, and looked more like a wild beast than a 

 human being ; another was covered with a bluish mixture ; a 

 third was quite black. Several had the lower half of the face 

 blacked, and the oldest men and women were painted entirely 

 black. There were about eight men, six or eight boys, and 

 perhaps a dozen women and girls. Some had a skin over their 

 shoulders, but others had no covering at all, except paint ; 

 they seemed apprehensive, and hid several skins and other 

 things in the wood, as soon as they saw us approaching. 



" When they found we were peaceably disposed, and had 

 tobacco and knives, they were eager to barter with us. How 

 they have learned the use of tobacco is curious, but they are 

 fond of it to excess. Guanaco, as well as seal and otter skins, 

 are in their possession ; therefore they probably barter with 

 the Patagonians. They have also the skins and horns of a deer, 

 which, as I understood them, inhabits their country.^ n ) They 

 catch small animals with snares, made of whalebone, just like 

 hare-snares. This tribe was very rich in Fuegian wealth, 

 such as skins, arrows, lances, &c. They appeared to be of a 

 race similar, but superior, to the Fuegians, being stronger, 

 stouter, more lively, and more active. I persuaded one of their 

 boys to have his face washed, and found his natural com- 

 plexion was scarcely darker than that of a European. Their 

 language sounds like that of the Fuegians, and the huts and 

 weapons are precisely similar to their"'s. We asked them for 

 water, and they pointed to a place about a mile further, mak- 



(n) Like a roebuck ; supposed to be the ' Huemul ' mentioned by 

 Molina.—R. F. 



